Before we begin the daunting journey of tracking how my brain works in the writing process, I want to make note of something very important—everyone's writing process is different. Everyone's journey is different. And that's absolutely wonderful! I'm here to share my journey simply to inspire and maybe help some other writers as they begin or work through their individual journeys.
Now that's out of the way; where do I start?
The Idea
As a dedicated sci-fi and fantasy author, my journey begins when inspiration strikes. My brain never stops—literally. It may pause when I sleep, but that's about it! That's why I carry a journal with me or create labeled files on my phone where I can jot down a note or two when I get a brainwave. Whether it's an intriguing plot twist or a striking character concept, I record every idea.
The World
World-building is at the heart of my writing process. When I create civilizations, I dive deep into the intricacies that make each culture unique. Every detail is meticulously planned, from their societal structures to their languages. This is a step I take in the early planning process of writing a novel simply because I feel I need to understand who I'm writing about. That ensures continuity throughout the story and can help drive decisions concerning the plot. It shouldn't happen in the book if it doesn't make sense in the culture. Building a culture can also help develop characters - background, secondary, antagonists, love interests, everything!
The Characters
World-building segues smoothly into creating characters! I try to have a pretty solid idea of my novel's main character/characters before I start writing. Of course, sometimes they evolve a bit differently once I get pen to paper, but I like to plan where the character is supposed to start and where they're supposed to end first. I also take detailed notes on their descriptions and crucial moments of development. Understanding when and how they appear allows me to keep track of their growth throughout the story. These notes also come into play if I'm working on a series - I know how a character ended book one before I move to book two!
The Story
Before I start writing chapters, I outline major plot points that will serve as the backbone of my story. These are key moments—major themes, turning points, love interests, and even character deaths—not small details. I work out smaller details as I write, but I like to at least have an idea of where I want to take the book before I start it.
Once I have my ideas and outlines, I unleash my creativity without hesitation. The initial draft is a liberating stage, where I write freely, letting my imagination flow without self-imposed restrictions. This is where characters come to life, plots twist and turn, and the essence of the narrative starts to take shape.
The Space
Once I've got my notes about as finalized as they can be, it is FINALLY time to sit down and start getting the story onto paper. Now, I have a day job to fund my dream (don't we all!), so I have to carve out whatever time I can to write. I've got a tablet I can take with me when I'm out and about, but my best writing is saved for my creative space at home. Although I write whenever possible, I highly recommend making a "creative space" to support your best writing and brainstorming. I like to have a candle burning (ambiance!), and I usually begin with a cup of decaf or caffeinated coffee, depending on the time of day. I prefer the room to be quiet enough to hear just my music playing. I visualize as I write; the perfect song can help me create scenes. I've got (fake) plants placed all around my desk, I have a comfy chair, and, of course, usually, a cat or dog will take up residence in my lap for the entirety of the experience.
The Editing
I'll dive much deeper into how I go about editing in another post, but for the sake of this essay, I'll give a brief overview. I do a lot with my manuscript before it gets to the editor! My grammar and spelling are mostly decent, but I have Grammarly (not sponsored) to help a bit here and there. Most of my editing work, however, is finding brackets like this:
[More dialogue here; idk what to write rn]
[describe this when your brain is working again pls]
[I want them to end up here, but I'm going to decide how later]
My first draft of any novel is just getting what's in my brain onto paper. My first round of editing is when the story becomes cohesive and takes shape. After editing round 1, I have some trusted beta readers who take a look. Their unique perspectives and specific instructions, such as checking for continuity errors or ensuring realistic dialogue, are invaluable. With their notes, I'll go through editing round two, where I fix plot holes and continuity errors and clean up the manuscript as best as I'm able. I usually go through the whole thing obsessively a few more times before it finally reaches my editor. The value of collaboration and the fresh perspectives it brings are immeasurable.
The End
My creative process is a blend of meticulous planning and, simpy, writing. I believe, too, in having trusted creative minds around you to bounce ideas off of. Some moments in Animus have been inspired or changed due to conversations I've had with other authors and prospective readers. And, despite all my planning, sometimes things change as I write. Sometimes, I discover a different path for one of my characters that makes sense now that the story unfolds.
Again, everyone's writing journey will look very different. But that's what makes each book and author so unique!
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